Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 28, tweeted a photo of the creepy crawlies thinking they were ants.

But officers in the northeast Brazil state of Ceara confirmed on Tuesday night they were termites, which can cause skin irritations.

Detectives suspect someone put them there deliberately because a search of the rooms ahead of the players’ arrival was clear.

A police source said: “The team checked the rooms in search of bombs and chemical and nuclear weapons. Afterwards they were sealed off by hotel workers and handed over to Fifa.

“It’s impossible these men didn’t see the swarm.”

The suspicion of sabotage could have unsettled the Uruguay team ahead of their vital clash with England in São Paulo last night.

The scare happened at Marina Park Hotel in Fortaleza shortly after the team flew into the city for their match against Costa Rica, which they lost 3-1.

Muslera, who was sharing a room with fellow goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz, 32, tweeted: “It was a comical situation. I couldn’t believe how many insects there were.” It is not the first time Uruguay have made accusations of a conspiracy.

Their favourite toffee spread, dulce de leche, was confiscated at the airport because it lacked a health certificate.

Insiders blamed it for their poor opening match display.

Captain Diego Lugano, 33, has already blamed a mole for leaking details of a swelling on his knee which he had to treat with ice.

Meanwhile, 24million Three Lions fans tuned in last night in Britain’s biggest TV audience of the year.

Some 3.5m were expected to watch the action in 48,000 UK pubs, with 37m pints expected to be guzzled.

The iconic London Eye will glow red, white and blue in time for the match.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes make England 6-5 favourites, with Uruguay at 23-10.

UPSET: Uruguay stars like Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan's preparation for their clash with England has been heavily disrupted [EPA/TWITTER]

Players were woken in the middle of the night at their hotel to find the insects crawling in their bedsheets.

ANGRY: The Uruguayan's were reportedly unhappy at their favourite sugary spread being taken away [EPA]

“It’s impossible these men didn’t see the swarm”

A source speaking to Tribuna do Ceara

Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 28, tweeted a photo of the creepy crawlies thinking they were ants.

But officers in the northeast Brazil state of Ceara confirmed on Tuesday night they were termites, which can cause skin irritations.

Detectives suspect someone put them there deliberately because a search of the rooms ahead of the players’ arrival was clear.

A police source said: “The team checked the rooms in search of bombs and chemical and nuclear weapons. Afterwards they were sealed off by hotel workers and handed over to Fifa.

IDEAL: England know their World Cup future hangs in the balance [PA]

“It’s impossible these men didn’t see the swarm.”

The suspicion of sabotage could have unsettled the Uruguay team ahead of their vital clash with England in São Paulo last night.

The scare happened at Marina Park Hotel in Fortaleza shortly after the team flew into the city for their match against Costa Rica, which they lost 3-1.

Muslera, who was sharing a room with fellow goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz, 32, tweeted: “It was a comical situation. I couldn’t believe how many insects there were.” It is not the first time Uruguay have made accusations of a conspiracy.

Their favourite toffee spread, dulce de leche, was confiscated at the airport because it lacked a health certificate.

Insiders blamed it for their poor opening match display.

Captain Diego Lugano, 33, has already blamed a mole for leaking details of a swelling on his knee which he had to treat with ice.

Meanwhile, 24million Three Lions fans tuned in last night in Britain’s biggest TV audience of the year.

Some 3.5m were expected to watch the action in 48,000 UK pubs, with 37m pints expected to be guzzled.

The iconic London Eye will glow red, white and blue in time for the match.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes make England 6-5 favourites, with Uruguay at 23-10.